This is not a book about the end of the world resulting from the end of the long count cycle on the Mayan calendar. It pokes fun at the obsession of Americans with this theory and their craving for artifacts of the ancient Maya. This obsession led Volcy to steal an ancient codex (set of writing) from a hidden temple in Guatemala and bring it to the U.S. to sell and thus make money to support his family.

Much fascinating information about the Maya, their beliefs, and their glyphs is given, and the codex plays an important role in the story. Through most of the story, however, prion diseases (like Mad Cow) are the biggest concern, as Volcy is apparently dying of one. The city of Los Angeles is quarantined as the disease spreads and body count rises. Doctors try to produce antibodies to stop the disease as scholars try to decode the codex in attempt to pinpoint the origin of the illness. The reader is swept up in the desperation of both groups of experts.

The book is more of a medical thriller than a “doomsday” book as it is disease, not cosmic realignment, which threatens the annihilation of humankind. Like the scribe of the codex, a few modern men and women risk everything to accomplish something for the good of others. All of the events seem frighteningly possible, and the characters are interesting and well-developed. The book pulled me in from the first page and kept me reading intently until the end.

Good Fiction novel based on the mayan belief that the world will end on 12/21/2012. Strong character novel, interesting, and suspenseful. However the end was a little unbelievable